Debate reaffirms educators’ support for Obama-Biden ticket

NEA president says Romney-Ryan budget priorities would hurt students

WASHINGTON - October 22, 2012 -

Dennis Van Roekel, a high school math teacher and president of the National Education Association, reacts to remarks made by President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney during the third presidential debate.

“The closing note of tonight’s debate was telling with everyone on stage declaring their love of teachers. Mitt Romney claims he loves teachers on the one hand, while attacking teachers’ unions on the other. How he manages to separate educators from their unions is baffling. Regardless though, educators know that only one candidate has gone beyond the rhetoric.

“President Barack Obama consistently has shown his support for educators, not just with words but actions that saved millions of educators’ jobs, supported millions of students by keeping class sizes smaller and helped assure our international competitiveness by fighting for great public schools for every student.

“Tonight’s debate was a war of words but the 3 million members of NEA—classroom teachers, bus drivers, school nurses, cafeteria workers, secretaries, custodians—all the men and women who help to prepare America’s students—know that President Obama has the right vision for our students and America's future.”

The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.

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